Translation and Meaning of: 問題 - mondai

The Japanese word 「問題」 (mondai) is widely used and has various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Generally, 「問題」 refers to a "problem," "issue," or "question." This term is common in both daily life and in academic and professional settings in Japan, often used in discussions and exams to describe questions or challenges to be solved.

The term 「問題」 is composed of two kanji: 「問」 (mon) and 「題」 (dai). The etymology of the kanji helps us understand better the meaning and origin of the word. The kanji 「問」 carries the sense of "to ask" or "question," reflecting the idea of inquiry or investigation. On the other hand, the kanji 「題」 means "subject" or "topic," and is often associated with the introduction of a specific theme or a field to be explored. Thus, the combination of both kanji results in the idea of a question that needs to be investigated or solved.

Historically, the word 「問題」 has its roots in academic use and Asian study traditions, where identifying and solving problems is a valued skill. During the Meiji period, when Japan modernized its educational institutions and introduced Western concepts, the word gained even more relevance and became extensively used to define test statements and intellectual challenges. However, the applicability of 「問題」 transcends the educational environment, being present in everyday contexts such as personal or social issues.

In addition to its common use, 「問題」 can appear in idiomatic phrases and cultural expressions, highlighting its flexibility and importance in Japanese communication. For example, the expression 「問題ない」 (mondai nai) means "no problem" or "it's all good," emphasizing a variation of the term that is often used to reassure a situation or person.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 課題 (Kadai) - Task or question to be resolved.
• トラブル (Toraburu) - Problem or incident that causes difficulty.
• 障害 (Shougai) - Obstacle or impediment that hinders the solution.
• 疑問 (Gimon) - Questioning or uncertainty about a subject.
• 論点 (Ronten) - Point of debate or discussion related to an issue.
• 課題点 (Kadaiten) - Specific points of a task that need attention.
• 問屋 (Tōya) - Wholesaler or store that deals with the sale of various items.
• 問答 (Mondō) - Dialogue based on questions and answers.
• 問い (Toi) - Question or inquiry that is made.
• 問い合わせ (Toiawase) - Inquiry or request for information.
• 問題点 (Mondaiten) - Problematic points that need to be addressed.
• 問題解決 (Mondai Kaiketsu) - Problem solving; approach to solving them.
• 問題解消 (Mondai Kaishō) - Elimination of problems; effective solution.
• 問題解決策 (Mondai Kaiketsusaku) - Strategy to solve a specific problem.
• 問題解決方法 (Mondai Kaiketsu Hōhō) - Problem-solving method.
• 問題解決手段 (Mondai Kaiketsu Shudan) - Means or tools to solve problems.
• 問題解決案 (Mondai Kaiketsu An) - Proposal or suggestion to solve a problem.
• 問題解決のための (Mondai Kaiketsu no tame no) - For problem-solving.
• 問題解決の手順 (Mondai Kaiketsu no Tejun) - Stages to solve a problem.
• 問題解決の方法 (Mondai Kaiketsu no Hōhō) - Method that should be followed for problem-solving.
• 問題解決のための方法 (Mondai Kaiketsu no tame no Hōhō) - Methods aimed at problem solving.

問題

Romaji: mondai
Kana: もんだい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: problem; question

Meaning in English: problem;question

Definition: Difficult situations, challenges, and concerns.

Example Sentences - (問題) mondai

See below some example sentences:

この問題の様相がますます深刻になっています。

Kono mondai no yousou ga masumasu shinkoku ni natteimasu

The situation of this problem is becoming increasingly severe.

The appearance of this problem is becoming increasingly serious.

• この - this
• 問題 - problem
• の - of
• 様相 - aspecto
• が - (subject particle)
• ますます - increasingly
• 深刻 - seriously
• に - (adverbial particle)
• なっています - is becoming

この問題はすぐに収まると思います。

Kono mondai wa sugu ni osamaru to omoimasu

I think this problem will be solved quickly.

I think this problem will fit quickly.

• この - this
• 問題 - problem
• は - Topic particle
• すぐに - immediately
• 収まる - be resolved, be contained
• と - Quote particle
• 思います - I believe, I think

この問題はとても難しいです。

Kono mondai wa totemo muzukashii desu

This problem is very difficult.

This problem is very difficult.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 問題 - noun "problem"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - advérbio "muito"
• 難しい - adjetivo "difícil"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form

この問題の解答は何ですか？

Kono mondai no kaitō wa nan desu ka?

What is the answer to this problem?

What is the answer to this problem?

• この - demonstrative indicating proximity, in this case "this"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• の - particle indicating possession, in this case "of"
• 解答 - noun meaning "answer" or "solution"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question

この問題を解くのは難しいです。

Kono mondai o toku no wa muzukashii desu

Solving this problem is difficult.

It is difficult to solve this problem.

• この - Demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "this one".
• 問題 - noun that means "problem" or "issue".
• を - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence.
• 解く - verb that means "to resolve" or "to solve".
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• は - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• 難しい - adjective that means "difficult" or "complicated".
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality in the Japanese language.

この問題は難しいです。

Kono mondai wa muzukashii desu

This problem is difficult.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 難しい - adjective that means "difficult" or "complicated"
• です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, "is"

この問題はとても易しいです。

Kono mondai wa totemo yasashii desu

This problem is very easy.

This problem is very easy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 易しい - adjective meaning "easy"
• です - verbo "ser" no presente afirmativo

この問題はとても容易いです。

Kono mondai wa totemo yasashii desu

This question is very easy.

This problem is very easy.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this problem"
• とても - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 容易い - adjective meaning "easy" or "simple"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form

この問題は紛らわしいです。

Kono mondai wa magirawashii desu

This problem is confusing.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 紛らわしい - adjective that means "confused" or "ambiguous"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form

この問題の実態を明らかにする必要があります。

Kono mondai no jittai o akiraka ni suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to clarify the reality of this problem.

It is necessary to clarify the real situation of this problem.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 実態 - noun meaning "reality" or "true nature"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 明らかにする - compound verb meaning "to make clear" or "to reveal"
• 必要があります - expression indicating necessity or obligation